Why did progressive presidents do little to advance civil rights for African Americans?
Civil rights was a very contravercial thing in politics in the 1900's so fighting for civil rights was very risky if you wanted to rerun for presidency.
The question asks why progressive presidents did little to advance civil rights for African Americans. To answer this question, we can start by understanding the context of the progressive era and the challenges faced by African Americans during that time.
The progressive era in the United States took place from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, with presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson leading the country. This era was characterized by efforts to address societal problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and corrupt political systems.
However, despite their progressive ideals and intentions to improve society, these presidents did relatively little to advance civil rights for African Americans. There are a few reasons for this:
1. Limited Political Influence: During that time, political power was predominantly held by white Americans, and African Americans faced institutionalized racism, discrimination, and voter suppression. The presidents, in order to maintain political support, often prioritized the interests of their white constituents over those of African Americans.
2. Southern Influence: The Democratic Party, to which all three progressive presidents belonged, relied heavily on the support of Southern Democrats, who strongly opposed civil rights for African Americans. To avoid losing political support from the South, these presidents had to compromise on civil rights issues.
3. Segregationist Views: Despite their progressive reputation in certain areas, these presidents held personal beliefs that were aligned with the social norms of the time, which included racist attitudes and support for segregation. Their personal views influenced their decision-making and limited their commitment to advancing civil rights for African Americans.
4. Political Priorities: The progressive presidents faced a range of challenges during their terms, including economic reforms, trust-busting, labor rights, and foreign policy. These issues often took precedence over civil rights concerns due to their perceived urgency and potential political consequences.
It's important to note that civil rights progress during the progressive era was not completely stagnant. Advocacy organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) were formed during this time, and African American activists fought for change. However, it wasn't until later decades, such as the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, that significant advancements in civil rights for African Americans were achieved.
In conclusion, while progressive presidents of the early 20th century were known for their efforts to address societal problems, they did little to advance civil rights for African Americans due to limited political influence, Southern influence, segregationist views, and competing political priorities.